The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort

My Summer at The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort was an experience that I'll always treasure. This stretch of the Gulf Coast of Florida has to be experienced in order to be believed, it goes well beyond beautiful! The sand is pink mixed with white and beige, the water is a crystal clear blue that can be seen all the way down to the bottom, and the sunsets are worth stopping whatever it is your doing in order to view. The pool area is located right on the beach, and next to the Monkey Room bar and restaurant, always convenient when one gets hungry or thirsty. Try the Kosher Hot dog with your favorite glass of beer, life here is good! The rooms are always neat and clean, the maids give it their all. The jacuzzi tubs are fun, and the spa jacuzzi is just great with all the amenities. The front desk is friendly and willing to help you with anything that you desire, and the concierge is great with restaurants and reservations. The main dining restaurant at The Colony serves gourmet meals for a reasonable price, and has a pretty display of nesting parakeets. There is a Kid's Club that entertains and educates young people from toddler to pre-teen, and their safety is paramount. The gym will give you a great workout, and the spa will pamper and please. There is a Publix and a CVS about a quarter-mile away right on Gulf of Mexico Drive. If you don't have the time of your life here, at the Colony on the Gulf, it's your own fault! The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort Rules!

The rooms are run down, Kid's Camp is not something your kids will like, it was boring. It's just a tiny room that they put the kids in, it's depressing.

The claims made by The Colony's website and brochure fell far short of reality. The property is run-down and in dire need of refurbishment. The condo we stayed in was dated, dirty, and not at all what had been advertised. I would not recommend this resort to anyone and I would not consider returning.

We had such a delightful time at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. The beach is just beautiful, and the food at the restaurants here is superb. Apparently, the restaurants are quite popular with the locals of Longboat Key and Sarasota, but we had no problems getting a reservation. The hotel is great if you want to incorporate fitness into your vacation - and you will want to after all the terrific dining!

A travelers tip: October is absolutely beautiful in Florida. The weather is dry, the Gulf is still very warm and you will often be able to find great prices because this technically is their "off season."